Monday, April 18, 2005

FINAL PUSH: President Museveni meets field commanders

FINAL PUSH: President Museveni addressing district leaders in Lira on Friday.

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Saturday met northern army field commanders at the State Lodge in Barlegi in Okwang subcounty, Lira, to discuss the final push against the LRA rebels.

Museveni travelled to Lira on Friday and addressed Lira district councillors and security chiefs at the district chambers.

He was earlier expected to visit Gulu and Kitgum on Saturday but did not show up. “What we are left with is only to track down the remnants and sweep the compound ready for the people to go back to their villages. We want to finish the problem of LRA rebellion once and for all,” Museveni told the leaders.

He assured Lango of peace after the UPDF deals with the five remnants groups now starving. He said two LRA groups were in southern Sudan where Kony, Odhiambo and Vincent Otti are hiding. Three groups are in Kilak and another group in Lapul and Lapal game reserve. “These are very small groups of about 20 or less,” Museveni said.

He said the LRA remnants could no longer attack camps, UPDF positions, abduct civilians or ambush vehicles.

“I came here to meet my commanders and thank them for dino kal (threshing millet) which has made the millet soft but the challenge is to ensure that the compound is swept,” Museveni said.

He said the UPDF was committed to punishing “Kony’s terrorists” so that in future nobody should try to seize power through the gun. “If somebody wants to go to State House, he should ask for your votes,” he added.

He said, “We asked Kony whom some people called ladit (sir) to come out, but if we pamper him he will change his mind because he has killed thousands.

“Tomorrow another person will kill many people and expect to be paid. We want to do away with such people,” Museveni said.Published on: Monday, 18th April, 2005